Wayne Norton

Wayne Norton, 83, of Milton, Iowa passed away on March 24, 2026, at his home. He was born on June 7, 1942, in Washington, Iowa to Milton and Viola Fuhr Norton. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Sharon Jessen Norton. They were married 56 years and were married at the Trinity Lutheran Church on December 17, 1961. Wayne was a farmer and worked at Pioneer for 36 years after building the pioneer plant. He retired the second time from Pioneer at age 80. He worked for Van Buren County and drove a school bus for Fox Valley. He was also active with The Gideons International. Wayne was passionate about honoring veterans; he restored a John Deere A tractor and built a wagon (float) that he pulled in many Veterans Day parades, including the Iowa State Fair. He and Sharon started camping at the Iowa State Fair in 1961. He loved watching the people and volunteered for 25 years. He made many friends in the campground community at the fair. Wayne loved woodworking and crafted many items to honor our military that were auctioned to raise money for veteran charities. Shortly before his death, he made several charcuterie boards as gifts to friends and family. Wayne enjoyed gospel music and understood it to be more than entertainment, but a testament to his faith. He invested his time, resources, and prayers in generous support of gospel ministries and their message of redemption and salvation. He organized and hosted the Sharon K. Norton memorial gospel sing for several years and helped with many other gospel sings. This legacy of love and friendship is in the heart of many. Wayne is survived by his children, Mark (Dee) Norton of Marshalltown, Iowa, Darla (Alan) Hargis of Ottumwa, Iowa; four grandchildren, Rebecca (Drew), Rachel, Mason (Lilly) Kaylie; four great-grandchildren, Alex, Ana, Mavlyn, Maizen; four sisters-in-law, Gwenlyn Foster, Evelyn Wells, Shirley Schmidt, Dorothy Jessen; a very special friend of five years, Linda Kinnamon; 28 wonderful nieces and nephews; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his loving parents; sister, Phyllis and brother-in-law Mac, and sisters-in-law Elsie Wagler, Martha Blasi, and brothers in law Richard Jessen, Harold Jessen and Ronnie Jessen. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Milton Christian Church with Pastors Kevin Mote and Norman Forman officiating. Burial will be held at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Milton. Visitation will begin at noon on Monday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield. Memorials have been established to the Iowa State Fair, The Gideons International, Milton Christian Church, and Good Samaritan Society Hospice – Ottumwa.

Wayne Norton

July 7, 1942 - March 24, 2026